DiviCom News...
Thursday February 19, 5:35 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
ComStream and DiviCom to Collaborate On Multimedia Delivery for
Satellite Broadcasters
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 19, 1998--ComStream, an international provider of digital transmission solutions
for data, audio, and video applications, today announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with DiviCom Inc., a
leading provider of digital multimedia networking solutions.
Under the agreement, the two companies will jointly market ComStream's MediaCast(TM) PC/server receiver card, and
DiviCom's DiviCast headend system. Used together, these products will enable satellite network operators to transmit data,
audio and video at speeds of up to 45Mbps. This high-speed pipeline can transmit data files, web pages, new push and
streaming video broadcasts, and other multimedia applications. Interoperability tests have been conducted to ensure a flexible,
reliable end-to-end broadcast solution.
''Joining forces with DiviCom enables us to offer the marketplace an end-to-end, DVB-compliant solution for delivering
multimedia applications,'' said Alex Robertson, General Manager for ComStream's Broadband Products division. ''More
importantly, we've incorporated sophisticated technology advances that maximize bandwidth utilization and help operators
minimize transmission costs.''
Robertson went on to note that both companies embrace open architecturer and industry standards including MPEG-2 and
DVB, thereby ensuring a non-proprietary platform that will support future industry developments. ''The close technical
collaboration between DiviCom and ComStream will ensure a powerful easy-to-use system with seamless integration,'' said
Robertson.
''ComStream has long been recognized for their expertise in satellite receiver technology,'' said Tom Lookabaugh, President of
DiviCom. ''By working together, we can simplify the sales process for the customer and facilitate integration of the equipment
at their site.''
How the System Works
The combined ComStream/DiviCom system allows satellite service providers and corporate customers to build private
datacasting networks that deliver distance learning, streaming video, internet web pages, software and other large data files in
either multicast (point to multipoint) or unicast (point to point) mode.
The DiviCast system takes IP data from an ethernet network, and encapsulates it into an MPEG-2 transport stream at speeds
of up to 15 MBps. The DiviCast software controller then routes the stream to a DiviCom multiplexer (if multiple services are
being provided), and on through to the satellite modem and upconverter to the satellite. The DiviCast software also allows the
operator to control the flow of information to receiver cards, and interface to subscriber management, billing, and scheduling
systems.
The satellite signal is then amplified and downconverted from the Ku-band RF frequency to L-band using a standard LNB. The
MediaCast PC receiver card then demodulates and demultiplexes up to 32 data streams at a time and delivers the appropriate
digital bit stream to the PCI bus of the computer.
DiviCom develops and integrates products that make digital video networking possible. Products include audio/video encoding
and decoding systems, and integration consulting and implementation services. Based on the MPEG-2, DVB and ATSC
international standards, DiviCom's products enable digital video broadcasting over a variety of networks including satellite,
wireless, fiber, and cable.
DiviCom is a wholly owned subsidiary of C-Cube Microsystems Inc. (NASDAQ:CUBE - news), and both companies are
based in Milpitas, Calif. C-Cube is the leading provider of digital video silicon solutions for the communications, consumer
electronics and convergence markets. DiviCom can be reached by phone at 408/490-6700 or by fax at 408/490-6705.
Website address: www.divi.com.
ComStream is an international provider of digital transmission solutions for voice, data, audio, and video applications for the
satellite industry. Products include satellite modems and earth stations, broadcast systems for private business and public
networks, VSATs, and the MediaCast satellite PC/server receiver card. With offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico,
Colombia, Indonesia, China, Russia, and the United Kingdom, ComStream is a wholly owned subsidiary of Spar Aerospace
Limited. Website address: www.comstream.com.
Spar is a leading Canadian advanced technology company with businesses in the space, communications, aviation services, and
software industries. It is listed on the Toronto and Montreal stock exchanges. Stock symbol: SPZ. Website address:
www.spar.ca.
Contact:
ComStream
Gwen Carlson, 619/657-5780
Holly Bertz, 619/657-5327
www.comstream.com
or
DiviCom Public Relations
Anne Hohenberger, 408/490-6688 |
